The “European Network of Casadean Sites” is a French association created on the 13th of October 2001, to mark the thousandth anniversary of St. Robert of Turlande, founder of the abbey of La Chaise-Dieu.

Date and countries

Incorporated into the programme “The Council of Europe Cultural Routes”:
2012

Countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland

Presentation

Born in La Chaise-Dieu in 1050, the Casadean congregation, following the rule of St. Benedict, spread rapidly, and prospered throughout Western Europe. For over seven centuries, the
abbey was the head of a large network of abbeys and priories.

With the Cluniac and Cistercian networks, La Chaise-Dieu in the Middle Ages was one of the three most important monastic congregations. In all, nearly nine hundred Casadean sites
have been identified in five countries: France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland. The Casadean network is also characterised by its strong rural character, as the vast majority
of sites are located outside urban areas.

The word “Casadean” comes from Casa Dei, “house of God” in Latin: it is the name
that the abbey received before turning into “Chaise-Dieu”, “the place where God resides”. Therefore, a Casadean site is an element of architecture (abbey, priory, barn…) or an element of landscape which was attached to the Benedictine Congregation of La Chaise-Dieu and depended on the mother abbey. Created with the municipalities of La Chaise-Dieu
(France), Burgos (Spain) and Frassinoro (Italy), the association hopes to contribute to building a humane Europe, based on this historic network. It therefore promotes cooperation
and brings together cultural and touristic values around Casadean heritage, to enter into meaningful socio-economic development, across Europe. The association includes
the communities with Casadean sites on their territories, associations, parishes or tourist offices that contribute to safeguarding and developing these sites, and anyone interested about the activities of the Casadean Network.